Every dollar you spend is a vote. ECO Bingo helps you redirect that vote toward businesses owned by their workers, members and communities — not distant shareholders.
Across Australia, there are co-operatives, mutuals, and not-for-profit alternatives for almost every service you use — from electricity and banking to health insurance and groceries. These businesses operate differently from shareholder-owned corporations. They exist to serve their members, not to maximise returns to external investors.
When you bank with a mutual or shop at a co-op, surpluses are returned to members or reinvested in the community — not extracted by shareholders.
Members get a genuine say. One member, one vote — regardless of how much you invest. That changes how decisions get made.
Co-operatives and mutuals tend to be more resilient in downturns. They think in decades, not quarters, because they answer to members, not markets.
Employee-owned businesses share wealth more equitably. Workers have a stake, a voice, and better outcomes in pay, conditions and job security.
ECO Bingo covers a range of alternative ownership structures. You don't need to understand the legal details — the common thread is that these organisations put people before profit.
Banks, health funds and insurers owned by their customers. Profits are returned as better rates, lower fees, or community investment.
Businesses owned and governed by the people who work in them. Decisions are made democratically by the workforce.
Shops, food hubs and services owned by the people who use them. Members pool their buying power for better access and prices.
Organisations that reinvest all surplus into their mission. No shareholders, no dividends — just purpose-driven service.
Australia's co-operative and mutual sector is substantial, though often invisible. These numbers tell part of the story.
Sources: BCCM, COBA (2024). Customer-owned banking assets as at October 2024.
ECO Bingo isn't about perfection. It's about exploring what's available and making switches when they make sense for you.
ECOH is a community of practice working to accelerate the growth of alternative ownership models in Australia. We connect practitioners, researchers, advisors and curious minds who believe that how a business is owned shapes what it does and who it serves.
ECO Bingo is one of ECOH's practical tools — helping everyday Australians discover the co-operative and community-owned businesses already available to them, and making the switch a little more fun.
Creating accessible learning opportunities about ownership models
Bridging research and practice to build the case for change
Connecting people who care about democratic ownership
Making it easy to discover and switch to community-owned alternatives
90 providers across 18 categories. Find what's available in your city and start turning your board green.
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